Tennis Thread - Grand Slams & The Tour

It was a poor tiebreak by both.

Στέφανος can't find his game probably due to the constant pressure from ND,case in point on 30 all just now.

 

Djokovic a relentless, remorseless blue machine wins again.

Difficult not be impressed by the way he has made himself the player he is and doubtless he will win the most major titles.

Outside of Serbia and a very few fans worldwide he will never have what he craves from the public. The warmth and devotion that Federer,Nadal,Martina,BJK, Agassi,Sampras,Laver, Rosewall and countless other greats have engendered.

His father's duplicitous scheming for many years and ND's countless dreadful decisions off court,Covid related in the last few years but many prior to that have taken the shine off his achiements.

People just don't like him!

 

Popularity don't make you the GOAT. Its dedication hard work will to win and skill.

 

Probably the greatest of this era but we're back on the Messi, Maradona, Cruyff debate.

Modern players owe a debt to the past in all sports for moving the game forward.

Jack Kramer for forming the pro tour obviously and allowing post '68 players eventually to compete for all tournaments, something denied to Tilden,Lacoste,Cochet,Perry,Budge,Hoad and of course Laver who missed out on six years x four opportunities to win majors as he turned pro!

Ultimately we are all humans first and last when we are athletes and when we are not.

Of all the people I know, hundreds in tennis and many more outside I don't know of anyone who thinks differently.

He maybe the best of this era in terms of majors but he's still a berk!

 

Updated...

Since their maiden Grand Slam titles & all playing in the same era i.e. 2008 these are the number of Grand Slam titles won so far as of today...

Djokovic 22
Nadal 19
Federer 8

Djokovic also held the record number of weeks at no 1 in the world (373 weeks) when all 3 of these great players were playing.

 

If it was football, people would call it boring. At least Murray being lightly involved with those three kept it interesting. Most Grand Slams are an utter borefest on the men’s side after the first few rounds unless Djokovic or Nadal are injured.

 

I was rarely bored when i watched any 2 of Djokovic Nadal and Federer playing each other in the final of grand slams.

 

Federer has retired.
He's not returning.
Nadal is on borrowed time, perhaps one last hurrah at Roland Garros?
Alcaraz will be back by March.
Everything will change, eventually!

 

Two Russian girls contest the final,both 15.
Frightening maturity from these players.

 

Djokovic has got it easy, at this point. The "new gen" are utterly useless.

Has to be the weakest era in decades now with Federer gone, Murray finished and Nadal well on his way. Almost no genuine competition bar Alcaraz.

 

Kyrgios admits assaulting his ex girlfriend.

Hobbles into court on crutches,not dissimilar to my colleague,Half Man Half Pizza at Hobblesdon on his.

No other similarities that I can determine!

 

Davis Cup this weekend.

 

I was looking at the Ηελληνες v Ecuador tie!
2-0 with doubles to come to secure it in Athens.

1-2 GB win doubles over Cabal and Farrah.

 

They have been but haven't had a good year I think.

Ranked 23 as of today.

Lost third round at AO.

 

My word he's a good cure for insomnia!

 

Alycia Parks beats Garcia for her maiden WTA title in Lyon.

 

What is the point of a first team?

To play the best available players against opponents who are doing likewise.

Not at Hoddesdon with the mixed team.

Given to a lunatic female fishwife who sees fit to share matches around to players who are not fit for purpose.

So disrespectful to other teams and messes up the league.

I despair of tennis clubs in the shires.

Like a Midsomer Murders plot, without the bloodshed.

 

A bit like the way most clubs treat the FA Cup then?

 

Blimey - how did he get on. Was he allowed to attach a tennis racket to the end of one of his crutches ?

 

No change!

He stands at the side of the court, checking his phone or hopping off court and leaving children unattended.

If he can be bothered to stay for the duration of the "lesson" he witters endlessly,white noise masquerading as coaching.

Beyond dreadful.

Mr IBB says he's the worst coach he's ever seen and he's visited over half of three court clubs and above in GB.

Some accolade!

 

Ah Ok, assumed it was a match !

 

Yes but in the case of the FA Cup it has now reached a stage where everyone does it,at least in the first two divisions.

Moreover the teams in the PL/Championship have 25 to select from, ourselves notwithstanding!

At Hobblesdon there are only two women able to play at that level.

There aren't more than three men either in truth!

 

The man has never played a match of note let alone won one.

I am a purist in terms of coaches who are permitted to lead lessons,as opposed to assisting.

They should have a minimum rating or have had if they are ageing.

If they are a head coach they should have played County Cup, Group 3 minimum for women, Group 4 for men or the equivalent for overseas coaches.

Too many frauds but as ever if the clubs didn't employ them then they wouldn't have work.

For Pozzo read tennis committees.

 

Something of a coup for Hoddesdon Tennis Club today.

It appears it has the world's oldest junior.

Date of birth given as 23/3/70.

I make that 53 this year!

 

Dallas ATP Chinese chap wins beating Isner and 44 aces!

First to do so.

Wu Yibing.

Are you near me Dr Wu?

 

Tsitsi wins ten of the last eleven games to defeat Ruusunouri at Rotterdam.

 

Zverev will need a lot of matches after his dreadful injury.